Blood pressure and cold

During cold winter weather, the blood pressure readings can rise. The risk of angina attacks, which can even trigger a heart attack, also increases. The German Heart Foundation, among others, points this out and specifically warns people with existing heart disease not to overexert themselves in the cold.

The reason is that blood vessels in the skin and other parts of the body constrict in the cold, reducing their diameter. This can also affect the coronary arteries in some cases, which reduces the oxygen supply to the heart.

Because the vessels narrow, the heart has to pump against higher resistance, which raises blood pressure. This can be especially dangerous in the morning and early forenoon, when the body switches from night to day mode and blood pressure is often already higher during these hours.

Extremely cold temperatures put stress on the body, which responds by releasing more stress hormones, and that in turn pushes blood pressure and pulse rate up.

People with heart disease or high blood pressure are therefore advised to take their prescribed medication first and only go outside afterward. Make sure to wear warm clothing to minimize cooling down. A scarf over the mouth helps to warm the air you breathe in.

People who struggle with higher blood pressure in winter are also advised to try increasing the room temperature a bit. It's a good idea to check your diet in winter. People often tend to eat fatty and less healthy foods at this time of year. Switching to a healthier diet with more fruit and vegetables and less salt can also help improve blood pressure.

Because heated indoor air can dry out the body and thicken the blood, make sure you drink enough fluids.

Moderate exercise is also recommended. This can be walks, for example. Being warmly dressed and going for a gentle walkperhaps even in the winter sunshinereleases feel-good hormones that are also good for the heart.

If you don't want to leave your home because of the weather, you can also get exercise at homefor example with gymnastics or riding a stationary bike.

If your blood pressure remains high despite all efforts, please talk to your treating physician.

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This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 04/2024).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.

Blood pressure and cold

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